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France May Deploy 'Several Thousand' Troops to Ukraine Post-Ceasefire

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France could deploy several thousand soldiers to Ukraine following a ceasefire to participate in border monitoring operations and support the regeneration of the Ukrainian army. He emphasized these would be non-combat forces, operating as part of a broader US-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism agreed upon by a coalition of Western nations. The UK and France have signed a declaration of intent to deploy troops to establish military coordination centers aimed at deterring future Russian aggression. Russia has consistently warned that any foreign military presence in Ukraine would be considered a legitimate target.

Key Points: France Plans Troop Deployment to Ukraine After Ceasefire

  • France plans peacekeeping deployment
  • Troops are non-combat forces
  • Part of US-led monitoring mechanism
  • UK-France declaration of intent
  • Russia warns against foreign forces
2 min read

Macron says France could send 'several thousand' soldiers to Ukraine after ceasefire

President Macron says France could send thousands of soldiers to Ukraine for peacekeeping and army regeneration, not combat, following a ceasefire.

"France will take part in operations to monitor the Russian-Ukrainian border - Emmanuel Macron"

Paris, Jan 7

French President Emmanuel Macron said that 'several thousand' French soldiers could be deployed to maintain peace in Ukraine following a ceasefire.

In an interview with TV channel France 2 during a Paris meeting of Western and European countries, Macron said that "France will take part in operations" to monitor the Russian-Ukrainian border after a ceasefire agreement is signed on Tuesday.

He stressed, however, that the French soldiers would not be combat forces, adding that France will participate in the "regeneration of the Ukrainian army."

Macron added that "work has been carried out between the Ukrainians, the Coalition of the Willing and the Americans. They will be the ones responsible for determining whether the border area is violated or not."

A coalition of about 30 Western and European countries agreed Tuesday at a meeting in Paris that any future peace settlement must include robust and binding security guarantees for Ukraine, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to a joint declaration, they stand ready to put in place a system of politically and legally binding guarantees once a ceasefire takes effect. This will include participation in a US-led ceasefire monitoring mechanism, military support for Ukraine and long-term defence cooperation.

The UK and France have signed a declaration of intent on deploying troops in Ukraine if a peace deal is made with Russia, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced.

Speaking after discussions with Ukraine's international partners in Paris, Starmer said both countries plan to set up military coordination centres across Ukraine aimed at preventing any future Russian aggression. French President Emmanuel Macron later added that the deployment could involve several thousand soldiers.

Ukraine's allies broadly supported the idea of strong security guarantees and suggested that the United States would play a leading role in overseeing any ceasefire. However, negotiations over territorial matters remain unresolved.

Russia has consistently cautioned that the presence of foreign forces in Ukraine would be considered a legitimate military target.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and Moscow currently controls about 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As an Indian, I'm watching this with concern. Our foreign policy of strategic autonomy makes sense more than ever. Getting entangled in other nations' conflicts drains resources and creates long-term security headaches. Let's hope our leaders continue to prioritize dialogue and our own national interests.
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Aman W
"Regeneration of the Ukrainian army" sounds like a permanent Western military footprint. This isn't just about peacekeeping; it's about creating a new alliance structure right on Russia's border. No wonder tensions are so high. The world needs de-escalation.
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Sarah B
While I understand the desire to guarantee Ukraine's security, this plan feels like it could backfire. A ceasefire needs trust from both sides. Flooding the zone with foreign troops might make Russia dig in harder. The unresolved territorial issues are the real core problem.
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Vikram M
The economic fallout from this war has hurt developing countries like India the most, with fuel and food prices. I respectfully think France and the UK should channel these "several thousand" soldiers' worth of funding into global stability and humanitarian aid instead of further militarization.
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Karthik V
Interesting to see the US leading the monitoring. The world is clearly dividing into new blocs. India's position is crucial – we have relationships with both sides. We must be a voice for peace and practical solutions, not just take sides.

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